Pipe bomb 'ups ante' in probe of devices

DALLAS - A federal official said discovery of an apparent pipe bomb in an east Texas mailbox "does up the ante" in an investigation of incendiary devices found in postal facilities in the region.

U.S. Postal Inspector Amanda McMurrey said Wednesday her agency plans to double a reward, to $10,000, after the device was found Tuesday in the town of Laird Hill, about 120 miles east of Dallas.

McMurrey said there was no concern about whether the apparent pipe bomb could have been detonated. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives removed it.

The item was at least the 10th potentially explosive device found in east Texas postal facilities during the past month. The others were described as bottles containing flammable liquids and wicks. None exploded.